Chapter 119
Chapter 119: Madam Bai’s Excuses
Luo Ning did not stay overnight at the summer retreat villa.
She knew that Luo Chong Ye was waiting for her at home.
In the evening, the sunset clouds were bright red, making the plaque above the gate of the Marquis of Zhen Nan’s residence and the stone lions glow with splendor. Luo Ning returned home.
A servant boy was waiting for her at the gate.
He belonged to the Marquis of Zhen Nan’s household.
He said: “Eldest Miss, Lord Marquis asks you to go over.”
But Luo Ning stayed calm and said: “I have just come back. I need to wash and change, and I have not had dinner yet.”
She went back to Wenqi Courtyard first.
She took a quick bath and changed out of her sweat-soaked clothes. Before her hair was even dry, Luo Chong Ye arrived.
The two nursemaids, He and Yin, were a little displeased.
Nanny He had a gentle nature. She smiled at Luo Chong Ye and said: “Lord Marquis, what matter cannot wait until tomorrow morning? Our young lady from her maiden home is precious. Please do not frighten the Princess Consort.”
Her softness carried a bit of steel.
The Marquis of Zhen Nan gave an awkward smile and said: “I just have a few words to ask her.”
Nanny He smiled and said: “Please also wait until Princess Consort has finished her dinner. Lord Marquis, when things are rushed, problems arise; when things are slowed, they come out smooth.”
With just a few sentences, she had pushed the Marquis of Zhen Nan back out. He stood in the Ming Hall and called toward Luo Ning: “A’Ning, hurry to the outer study.”
Luo Ning did not answer.
She still sat down to eat dinner and waited until her hair was dry before going to the outer study to see the Marquis of Zhen Nan.
It was already time to lock the gates. An old maidservant was waiting at the Chuihua Gate on purpose to open it for Luo Ning.
When Luo Ning reached the outer study, the Marquis of Zhen Nan was sitting there alone.
She needed to give him time to calm down and think.
Luo Chong Ye said: “…Tell me everything you know in detail. What engagement before the marriage? I knew nothing of this matter.”
Luo Ning said: “Father, was it not made very clear already? Before my mother married you, she had a marriage agreement with the Qiu family. Later, Qiu himself broke it off.”
Luo Chong Ye rolled the words around in his mouth and said: “He broke it off?”
Luo Ning’s expression was very calm as she looked at him.
This father had never cherished her and had never protected her.
He was someone she could take or leave.
He did not kill Luo Ning with his own hands, but he had indulged the killers.
Later he died on Concubine Mei’s bed. They said he died of a sudden seizure. Concubine Mei valued her chastity. That same night she hanged herself to die with the Lord Marquis.
By then, Luo Ning was already a ghost. This happened three months after the Marquis of Zhen Nan asked for Luo Yin to be named heir apparent. Luo Yin had no patience at all. He could not wait even three months.
Concubine Mei had been an accomplice. Madam Bai and Luo Yin had given her many benefits. Concubine Mei was clever and wanted to leave herself some leverage, but Luo Yin and Madam Bai moved faster. They dealt with her that very night and left no loose ends.
It was not that no one in the Luo family had doubts.
It was just that by then Grandmother was dead and Luo Chong Ye was gone too. Madam Bai and her son controlled the whole Marquis Manor. Who would make the decisions?
The family estate was handed over to others.
Now the truth was laid out in front of him, yet he still wanted to deceive himself.
Of everyone in the whole manor who died, the one who was least wronged was him. He had only himself to blame.
Luo Ning’s face hardened. Her eyes were dark, and her voice seemed dipped in ice as she said: “What do you want to ask?”
Luo Chong Ye tensed up and said: “A’Ning, Father wants to…”
Luo Ning said: “Do not ask useless questions. If you have doubts, go check and see for yourself. What do you expect from me by asking? Do you want me to give up the noble rank I earned and trade it for being a mere commandery princess?”
Luo Chong Ye grew angry from shame and said: “A’Ning, you have no sense of respect for ranks.”
Luo Ning said, stressing each word: “It is you whose eyes are clouded, who cannot judge people, and who is muddled and full of yourself.”
If he had not stayed muddle headed all the time, ignoring the truth even when it was right in front of him, in her past life the Luo family would not have met that kind of end.
Everyone, including Luo Ning herself, had struggled with all their might just to live, yet they were still wiped out one by one.
Luo Chong Ye’s tone softened as he said: “A’Ning, if you lose your temper at your father like this and it reaches the ears of the Prince and the Empress Dowager, how will you face it then? I am only discussing things with you.”
He was using grand principles to press down on her, but in truth he was trying to curry favor with her in another way.
Even if this favor was something she did not need at all.
Luo Chong Ye said: “I will investigate all of this. Before I do, you must have already heard something. Father wants to hear it from you first.”
Luo Ning said: “I did not investigate these things myself. Other people told me. If you do not believe it, I will just waste my spit.”
Luo Chong Ye said: “You speak first.”
He had thought about many things that day. After he was blocked from going to Wenqi Courtyard, he had thought about even more. With a few more sharp words from Luo Ning pressing down on him, he finally yielded.
His pride was pressed very low.
So Luo Ning told Luo Chong Ye about the past between Qiu Shi Dong and Madam Bai.
Luo Ning said: “…As soon as you wanted to ask for the marriage, the Qiu family withdrew from the engagement.”
Luo Chong Ye frowned and said: “Is he even a man?”
Luo Ning said: “Why would he not be? My mother has always kept him in her heart. In Yuhang, Madam Bai also appreciates his sacrifice and gives him benefits.”
Luo Chong Ye said: “But that still does not mean your mother and he have never cut their ties. Do you want me to doubt my own child, even doubt you?”
Luo Ning said: “If you doubt me, then give up the noble rank and let my brother inherit it instead. My mother is definitely my mother, and A’You is definitely my brother anyway.”
“You…” Luo Chong Ye was almost exploding with rage.
Luo Ning said: “If you go confront her, my mother will say I am sowing discord and turn the problem onto the blood ties between you and me.”
After a while his anger died down, and he asked her: “Then what should I do?”
Luo Ning said: “Investigate Luo Yin. He was originally the Marquis Manor’s eldest son and had the best chance to inherit the noble rank. Back then he went out to study and was away from home for several years. There were people by his side.
“With a bit of effort you can find where those people are now. Press them with threats and promises, and ask what Luo Yin did in those years and who he was with.
“And there is Bai Ci Rong. Whose daughter is she really? Send someone to Yuhang to investigate. It will not be without results. Just my eldest aunt alone, Uncle’s second wife, will definitely have something to say.
“As for me and A’You, you can weigh it yourself. Offending me brings you no benefit. Besides, our father and daughter faces do look somewhat alike.
“A’You is studying and will have his own future. If you do not trust him, then do not give him the noble rank. He will not be able to overturn the sky. As for what happens later, you decide for yourself.”
Luo Chong Ye had asked her what to do, and she had given him simple, direct methods.
He should investigate Luo Yin and Bai Ci Rong instead of focusing on Luo Ning and Luo You. He must grasp the main point and not put the cart before the horse.
Luo Chong Ye stood up and said: “You may go back now.”
He entered the main courtyard together with Luo Ning, and the Chuihua Gate was locked.
The two of them stayed silent. Neither spoke.
Luo Chong Ye went to the East Main Courtyard.
Madam Bai was not asleep. She sat on the bed in her under robe, looking weary.
When she saw Luo Chong Ye come in, she only let out a sigh and said: “Has A’You gone to the school?”
She did not seem flustered at all.
Luo Chong Ye said: “The coachman came back and said he has been settled in.”
He looked at her and said: “That Qiu fellow from today…”
Madam Bai said: “Do not mention him. Long ago our families arranged the engagement. I had never met him. Later he took a liking to someone better and insisted on breaking it off without caring about my reputation. My brother refused no matter what.
“It was my fate to be rich and noble and to meet you. When you wanted to marry me, my brother finally agreed to let the Qiu family withdraw from the engagement. The Qiu family must have regretted it badly.
“That young lady he fancied got sick and died. His dream of wealth and honor was shattered. I did not want to step on him and belittle him, so I have never spoken of it.”
Luo Chong Ye looked at her.
When she spoke, her tone was extra steady, but her eyes kept darting around, moving fast and anxious.
When she saw that Luo Chong Ye did not answer and raised her eyes to look at him, her gaze was wavering.
Madam Bai said: “You do not believe me? It is A’Ning. She is sowing discord.”
Luo Chong Ye could not help laughing.
Luo Ning had guessed right.